Murray’s decision starts talk flying

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray’s decision not to run for governor next year touched off an explosion of talk among state Democratic operatives.

“There is not a political phone in the state that isn’t busy right now,” veteran Democratic State Committee member Diane Saxe said Friday on the immediate effect of the unexpected announcement.

Viewed as a likely successor to Gov. Deval L. Patrick, who along with Mr. Murray ended 16 years of Republican control of the governor’s office in 2007, the former Worcester mayor said Friday morning he had decided to keep his name off the ballot next year.

Mr. Murray cited the demands of campaigning and serving in office and his need to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters.

His departure creates a wide-open field that may include such Democratic candidates as Treasurer Steven Grossman and Dr. Donald Berwick, a former Medicare administrator for President Barack Obama.

Mr. Patrick, at Union Station with Mr. Murray Friday, said if Mr. Murray had run for governor, “I was all in.” Mr. Patrick is not seeking a third term.

State Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh said he expects “spirited primaries” for the Democratic nomination for governor and lieutenant governor next year in light of Mr. Murray’s decision.

A longtime political ally, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, said he understood, respected and admired Mr. Murray’s decision.

“I have never met a harder-working public servant of the people than Tim Murray, and I still believe he has a bright political future,” Mr. McGovern said.

“I think Tim said it very clearly,” in a message to his supporters Friday morning, Ms. Saxe said.

“You can be dedicated to politics and the community, but the fact of the matter is that he is dedicated to his family and his children. It took priority, and sometimes you have to make that tough decision,” she said.

“It’s a lot to give up, but that is not to say he is out of the picture,” she said. Mr. Murray has not ruled out a future run for elected office.

“I think he will have a lot of professional options. We all know where his heart is. He is a true Democrat,” and has spent his career working to help people, Ms. Saxe said.

Mr. Murray’s exit from the governor’s race will trigger the interest of many other potential candidates.

“I think it is going to be wide open,” Ms. Saxe said.

She expects Mr. Grossman will probably run, but is uncertain who else may seek the Democratic nomination.

“I think we will start hearing about them now,” she said. With a party caucus planned in February, she said, potential candidates may surface and begin lining up support.

“Whoever is interested needs to make some moves and start making phone calls now,” she said.

Mr. Murray, who had told Boston business leaders in November he would like to be governor, had been raising campaign funds in anticipation of a possible run for governor and has $391,000 in his campaign account.

Ms. Saxe said she doubts Mr. Murray’s previous controversies about a car accident he had in November 2011 or his past affiliation with disgraced Chelsea Housing Director Michael McLaughlin played a role in his decision.

“I think it’s all about family,” she said, adding, “There is nothing to that accident other than an accident, and as far as that other guy goes, it was Tim Murray’s job to be in touch with those guys,” working on housing issues, Ms. Saxe said.

Pressed by reporters Friday over whether the accident and McLaughlin affair had driven Mr. Murray out of the race, Mr. McGovern insisted that he did not believe it had and that the decision was based on family needs.

“He is a man of integrity. He is a man of great honesty. I would have campaigned my heart out for him if he ran for governor” Mr. McGovern said. “I really wanted him to be governor. Hopefully someday he will run for governor, or congressman or senator,” Mr. McGovern said.

“Tim has been Gov. Patrick’s partner in moving the commonwealth forward and leading us out of the great recession stronger and faster,” Mr. Walsh said.

“It’s the same kind of success he enjoyed as the mayor of Worcester where he set the second largest city on a path to the 21st century.”